Naveen Patnaik Urges Special Assembly Session Over Delimitation Bill
Bhubaneswar, April 16: Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, demanding a special Assembly session within 48 hours to debate the Centre’s proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The bill seeks to expand the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, raising Odisha’s tally from 21 to 29.
However, Patnaik highlighted that the state’s share of representation would drop from 3.9% to 3.4%, a relative decline of nearly 15%.
Calling this a “historic betrayal” of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people, Patnaik emphasized the state’s achievements in population control and human development.
He invoked Odisha’s legacy as India’s first language-based state, sacrifices of freedom fighters, and the spiritual ethos of Lord Jagannath to stress Odia identity.
Patnaik assured BJD’s full support to the government in safeguarding Odisha’s political rights, while also reiterating his party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing BJD’s record of 50% reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions.
